I'm currently working in a home-care setting where we provide one-on-one support for a gentleman who requires care 24/7. During our shifts, especially in the first half where he often sleeps for 6-8 hours, the boredom can be overwhelming since we can't use the WiFi. Our manager has been strict about this, claiming she has a way to monitor connections to the network. The signal at home is really poor, and we can't even catch a decent 3G signal, making hotspots ineffective unless we go outside, which isn't practical. We've considered getting a second broadband connection and splitting the cost among the staff, but that feels complicated and impractical. What are our options?
7 Answers
I get that the work environment is tough, but if you're getting paid to be there, finding ways to cope is important. You could consider creating a waterproof setup for a portable WiFi router. It's not too complicated and could be a fun project—just get a watertight container and the necessary components. You might also look into femtocells for better signal, especially since you mentioned 3G issues.
Have you considered going old-school with some books? But if you want to stick with tech, a cell signal booster could be a solid investment. It could enhance your connectivity significantly without needing WiFi.
Is the modem or router accessible? You might be able to use a portable wireless router connected to an ethernet port to create your own WiFi. Just be careful, they might notice if you're using it.
Would they have a way to track if I connect through that router? Just trying to cover my bases!
Why not just bring your own router to work? It could create a bit of a workaround for the WiFi restrictions.
Could your client be persuaded to help out? Setting up a hotspot on their device might let staff connect without drawing attention since it would show as their device on the network.
Have you thought about downloading content for offline use? Services like YouTube Premium let you preload shows, and you could also download audiobooks or podcasts. That way, you have something to keep you entertained without needing WiFi.
I do that for movies and shows, but I’ve got a young son to consider, and sometimes I need to be reachable while I’m working. It gets frustrating!
What makes you feel the rules don't apply to you? It's essential to follow the guidelines set by the management.
If you can get 4G nearby, using a different setup with a modem and antennas might do the trick. What's the distance to the nearest signal? Maybe the terrain plays a role too.